BOURBONNAIS, IL – Prepare for a breathtaking celestial extravaganza as the Delta Aquariid and Perseid meteor showers grace the Illinois skies with a mesmerizing display of shooting stars. Sky gazers who are willing to stay awake after 2 a.m. in the coming days will be treated to a spectacular show.
Delta Aquariids, active from July 18 to August 21, will reach their peak on July 30-31. On clear, dark nights, lucky observers might catch sight of 15 to 20 meteors streaking across the heavens per hour.
At the same time, the Perseids will be active from July 14 to September 1, with their peak occurring around August 11-13. During the predawn hours, under a pristine dark sky, fortunate skywatchers could witness a jaw-dropping display of 50 to 100 shooting stars per hour, including brilliant fireballs.
A nearly full moon on July 30-31 might diminish the visibility of the Delta Aquariids, but fear not, as the Perseids will coincide with the new moon in mid-August, ensuring an unobstructed and awe-inspiring show.
Renowned as “the best meteor shower of the year,” according to NASA, the Perseids dazzle with their swift, bright meteors, leaving long trails of light and color in their wake. The sky will be adorned with magnificent fireballs, larger explosions of light and color that persist longer than the average meteor streak.
In recent years, the Perseids can even put on an outburst, producing a mind-blowing 150 to 200 meteors per hour. Although the best time to view them is during the predawn hours, keen observers might spot these celestial wonders as early as 10 p.m.
For the ultimate experience, head to a location away from city lights, lie back, and let the cosmic symphony unfold above you, painting a magical picture across the Illinois night sky.
